Category Archives: metaphysics

Abusive/Teasing Labels in Philosophy

I was reading some of the literature on qualia recently, and I was struck by the use of the term qualia freak. Qualia Freak is a label for someone who endorses the view that phenomenal experiences cannot be individuated by what they represent. Qualia freaks believe that experiences must be individuated by some intrinsic featureContinue Reading

Wide Scope Philosopy Podcast – Episode 4

Listen [podcast]http://www.sympoze.com/podcast/episode4.mp3[/podcast] Articles DiscussedContinue Reading

Joshua Spencer – A New Counterexample to Principles of Alternative Possibilities (Young Philosophers Research Talk)

I just posted Joshua Spencer’s research talk titled “A New Counterexample to Principles of Alternative Possibilities.” Check it out. Aside: This is by far the fastest, I’ve been able to get these talks up (thanks Flip HD).Continue Reading

Joshua Spencer – Time Travel and Freewill (Young Philosophers Intro Talk)

I just posted Joshua Spencer’s intro level talk Time Travel and Freewill. Check it out. Spencer kicked off our 2009-2010 Young Philosophers Lecture Series. I’ll post Spencer’s research talk “A New Counterexample to Principles of Alternative Possibilities” by sometime tomorrow. Also note that we have four excellent speakersContinue Reading

Wide Scope Philosophy Podcast – Episode 3

Listen [podcast]http://www.sympoze.com/podcast/Episode3.mp3[/podcast] Links to Journal ArticlesContinue Reading

Wide Scope Philosophy Podcast – Episode 1

Listen [podcast]http://www.sympoze.com/podcast/Episode1.mp3[/podcast]Continue Reading

“Believe That” and “Believe In”

I’m attracted to a traditional account of the semantics of belief reports which holds that the semantic content of a belief report of the form ‘S believes that P’ is a two-place relation that holds between a person and a proposition. I’m curious about other common phrases in English that (a) use the word ‘believe’,Continue Reading

Neil Feit to Give Hagan Lecture This Thursday

This is a heads up for readers in the area. Our philosophy department chair, Neil Feit, is the 2009 Hagan award recipient, and he will be presenting a talk titled “Mental Representation and the Self” this Thursday at 4PM in McEwen Hall Room 209.  Here’s the an excerpt of the press release from SUNY Fredonia.Continue Reading

Taking the Mystery Out of Ways

I like Ways-Millianism. It’s a combo-theory about meaning and the metaphysics of belief. Here are two of the core theses. (M) The meaning of a proper name is its referent. (W) Belief is a mediated relation between a person and a proposition. People believe propositions in virtue of standing in relation to some third thingContinue Reading

Kevin Timpe – Truthmaking and Sourcehood

I just posted a new video over at Young Philosophers. It’s Kevin Timpe’s research talk – “Truthmaking and Sourcehood” (link to video) I’ll post Timpe’s introductory level talk soon. We also had Nick Treanor and Helen Frowe deliver talks as part of the series. I’ll be posting their videos soon.Continue Reading